theideasfoundryLtd
The Ideas Foundry Limited
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theideasfoundryLtd
IF you are interested in what we might bring to your project, ask us
‘What IF…?’
What IF?
Initial ideas often come from one person but they are always realised by teams of people, so The Ideas Foundry is about relationships. Nurture is at the heart of what we do. Whether it is identifying and mentoring new talent like the young directors, writers, actors and designers we are working with or constantly seeking to push established talent to expand horizons while further honing existing craft, we encourage all of our partners to hammer their projects into the best possible shape in our foundry of ideas.
Forthcoming Events
Thursday 30th January 2025, at JW3 London. 7.30pm
INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT SHARING OF AN EPIC COMMUNITY THEATRE PROJECT
The Story starts in Bavaria in 1934. Mounting the biggest Passion play in the world has never been easy but when the producers are broke, the cast has left town and the composer has just died it looks impossible. The only people who can save the production and the community which depends on it, are the Nazi playing Jesus, and the Jew composing the music. And Hitler has just announced he’s coming to opening night. The people of this picture post-card mountain village face temptations and guilt of epic proportions but the leadership of extraordinary women and men will ultimately propel them on a journey to redemption. The Project is written and directed by Joe Harmston with an original score by Robert Singer, and offers an extensive project for a theatre seeking to work closely with its community. It would culminate in an ambitious theatrical performance, encompassing hundreds of participants in every aspect of the creative process. In an era of populist, extremist politics endeavouring to divide us, this project aims to unite by exploring the ease with which a town of ordinary people is drawn into the epicentre of Nazi ideology and the power storytelling holds for them to rediscover their true identity. The Event will showcase some scenes, choir and instrumental music to give a sense of the piece, as well as explaining how the project could work for venues and having a feedback session to explore responses and ideas to move forward. Afterwards drinks will be available for more informal conversations. Detailed project proposal packs will be available. The Venue is JW3, the cultural centre at 341 Finchley Road, London NW3 6ET. It is easily accessible by Overground (Finchley Road & Frognal), Tube (Finchley Road – Jubilee and Metropolitan), and Buses: 113, 13, 187. There is limited parking in the surrounding streets.
Services
Script consultation
We can offer anything from a simple reading and report on a script, through to extensive development partnership including rehearsed public readings and project launches. Costs are based on a daily rate and can be discussed depending on your needs. Joe Harmston is an experienced and sought after script consultant who has worked with dozens of writers on scores of scripts either for first performance or significant revival over forty years. His particular skill base is the importance of dramatic structure in relation to production, and he has helped many writers re-configure their storytelling in order to achieve the results they were aiming for. Many of the testimonials cited below relate to his work on scripts with writers and producers. Please note we do not accept unsolicited scripts. If you are interested in our services, please contact us describing your project and what you think you need.
Project Consultation
The Associates connected to IF bring together many decades of experience at the highest level of British and World-wide theatre production. We bring together directors, writers, designers, producers, general managers, stage management, wardrobe. If you have a query about how best to realise your project, the likelihood is we can connect you to the person who has the skills to answer it. Joe and his team have already been approached to help turn ideas in to reality on many occasions and shows from one-person tours to massive international productions have taken place nurtured by their knowledge base. IF gives us the chance to formalise that offer and better co-ordinate our skills. Costs are based on a daily, per person rate, and will depend on the scope of advice you require from a feasibility report to actually taking you idea forward to full production.
show Doctoring
While we would always hope that productions had sufficient, careful R&D to ensure that this isn’t needed, there are times when a show gets to the stage and requires a radical rethink to make it viable. We can offer the experience and knowledge to assess, propose and (if required) enact the necessary changes with speed, tact and care for creatives, performers and, of course, producers. Over a long career, Joe and many of his associates have been called in to confidentially deal with some challenging issues on shows in the West End and on tour in the UK and abroad, from delicate recasting to making sets fit in unexpected venues. Costs are based on daily rates per person, and all discussions about shows are in complete confidence.
presentation training
Over the years, Joe has coached speakers from pharmaceutical CEOs to politicians, and has helped organisations put together events to best achieve their goals. We can do anything from a brush-up session of tips and techniques, through long-term coaching, or even managing and staging your entire event. We have numerous individuals and teams we work with who we can recommend as well as our own associates. If you have an event to prepare for and feel you need support, please get in touch. Again, costs vary from day rates for one-to-one coaching, to negotiated fees for organising entire events.
Projects in development
Testimonials
DEREK BOND 2024 Olivier Award winning director Joe took a chance on me as a graduate with no experience, and hired me as an assistant director. He made my first experience of a professional rehearsal room so welcoming and supportive. He has continued to mentor me throughout my career, which has been essential. I simply wouldn’t be working in theatre today were it not for Joe.
LAURIE SLADE – Playwright and librettist I’ve worked with Joe for more than 20 years, developing a deep and trusting creative relationship. Joe included me fully in the process of rehearsal, paying careful and deeply felt attention to my script, demanding the same from the cast. And he won us many generous plaudits from critics.
PAUL HERZBERG – WRITER Joe had a deep, instant connection to the material. The play is based on the life of my remarkable, complex father (Karl in the play) and it was as if Joe knew him as well as I did, understood exactly what was required in developing the play. This made the collaborative process effortless and a joy. When I suggested David Suchet as a possible candidate to play Karl, Joe secured him for the public reading within a matter of days. What became clear from both times we worked together on a script was his unerring instinct for a potent narrative. More than once I felt we had gone as far as we could when Joe would make a suggestion that sharpened the play considerably.
ALEX GILES - WRITER I have loved working with Joe on my scripts The Disappearance of Miss Bebb and Burnt. He brings all his years of experience as a theatre director and writer to the dialogue. And it is all about dialogue with him – I never feel that Joe imposes his ideas, but rather draws out a better version of what I am trying to achieve. His keen ear and eye will pinpoint a lack of clarity in an idea, a character, a speech or even a word, which will send me back to investigate further and reassess, amend or edit with a fresher look. He has an instinct for the arc of a story and character; one that will entertain, inspire and keep the attention of an audience. And from his directing experience he can see some of the pitfalls in the way the story is told on paper that will emerge in production unless sorted out beforehand. For me, writing a play is ALL about character and plot, and specifically about character driving plot. I want to write plays that actors want to act in, and audiences want to come and see. Time and again, Joe challenges, stimulates and supports me to do that.
CONNECTIONS
Associates
Sean Cavanagh
Designer
David Osmond
Actor
Kate Plantin
Casting Director
Mike Robertson
Lighting Designer
Andrew Whelan
Writer, Composer
Mark Rose
Film Editor, Actor
Caroline Sax
Writer
Robert Singer
Composer
